# NTSB CEN12LA124: Piper PA-28-160, N5768W, San Angelo, TX, January 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 3, 2012, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: San Angelo, TX - Coordinates: 31.280374, -100.410598 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2804&lon=-100.4106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 82621 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82621/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82621 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA124 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102806), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102806), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-160, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102806), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While on the downwind leg of the landing pattern, the flight instructor asked the student to switch fuel tanks in order to balance the remaining fuel. Shortly thereafter, the student added power to adjust his approach path to the runway but the engine did not respond. The student switched back to the previous fuel tank; however, engine power was not restored. The airplane was substantially damaged during the forced landing. The flight instructor stated that, during the previous flight, the student had mentioned that the fuel selector valve did not have a noticeable detent position and asked if it was normal for the selector to rotate 360 degrees. The flight instructor was not familiar with the accident airplane and its various nuances and had not flown it before the day of the accident. A postaccident examination of the engine, fuel selector valve, and fuel systems revealed no anomalies. A representative of the airplane’s manufacturer indicated that the fuel selector valve was an older type that allows the valve to rotate without restriction; newer valve designs restrict travel so that the “off” position cannot be selected without depressing a stop. The airplane was not operating in weather conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor icing at the time of accident. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On January 3, 2012, approximately 1730 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-160 airplane, N5768W, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near San Angelo, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The local flight departed the San Angelo Regional Airport (KSJT), San Angelo, Texas, approximately 1705. The flight instructor reported that they were performing touch-and-go landings in the traffic pattern. While on the downwind leg, the flight instructor asked the student to switch fuel tanks in order to balance the remaining fuel. Shortly thereafter, the student added power to adjust his approach path to the runway and the engine did not respond. The student switched back to the previous tank; however, engine power was not restored. During the forced landing, the right wing struck a tree and separated from the airplane. The flight instructor stated that during the previous flight, the student had mentioned that the fuel selector valve did not have a noticeable detent position and asked if it was normal for the selector to rotate 360 degrees. The flight instructor was not familiar with the accident airplane and had not flown it prior to the day of the accident. He stated that he was not familiar with the various nuances of the accident airplane. An on scene examination of the engine, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), revealed no anomalies. On February 29, 2012, the fuel selector valve and fuel assembly were examined by investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board and Piper Aircraft. The examination revealed that the fuel selector valve was firm to rotate with notable detents at the prescribed positions. The fuel lines, filters, and fuel pump were free of blockage. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were 15 degrees and minus 7 degrees Celsius respectively. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart, located in the FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, dated 6/30/2009, revealed that the airplane was not operating in an area favorable for the formation of carburetor icing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5768W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5768W-2018-01-05), registration cancelled 2018-01-05, S/N 28-1554, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-1554 - Airframe hours: 3696 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 2011 - Departed: KSJT, San Angelo, TX - Destination: KSJT, San Angelo, TX - Airport: KSJT, San Angelo ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 6, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 361 total, 300 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 56; injuries: none; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KSJT, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120103000299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120103000299A), Jan 3, 2012: Piper PA-28-160, San Angelo, TX, Substantial damage. The aircraft was substantially damaged during a forced landing after the engine lost power. VMC prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight… ## Other investigations on N5768W (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB FTW66D0487](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66D0487), Jan 23, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N5768W), Spur, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK65X0405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0405), Oct 24, 1964: Piper PA28 (N5768W), Beckenridge, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82621. 8.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 7.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363551&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Examination Notes (Excerpt) - Piper - CEN12LA124 (item 3, .PDF, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Examination%20Notes%20(Excerpt)%20-%20Piper%20-%20CEN12LA124-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 325 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.